Summertime living is not easy

Scott Darby,
Media Manager,
Certified Funeral Celebrant
Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel
and Cremation Center

Memorial Day weekend has, for a long time, been considered the beginning of summer. I used to live in New York City and it was understood that summer business hours were in effect from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The work week was reduced to four days because Friday became one’s “travel to our weekend house” day. By mid-summer, as the temperature rose, leaving work early on Wednesday or Thursday to catch the "jetty" to the Hamptons or Fire Island was expected.

For those of us who work in the funeral industry, we don’t get that luxury.

While people are leaving work early on Thursday, you’re working to ensure the families you serve are cared for during one of the hardest times of their lives. While most people are going to barbecues and pool parties, you are working tirelessly through the summer whether it be at the funeral home or in the hot sun hauling concrete burial vaults or digging graves.

Author and philosopher Sam Keen says, “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” Well, I’m writing today to recognize those of you out there working despite the urge to leave work early because the families we serve are more important. You are the ones who give up a piece of your weekend to make sure a grieving spouse gets the closure he/she needs. At Trigard, we want you to know that we recognize and respect your hard work and we are proud to serve you.

Now, don’t forget to use lots of sunscreen, keep drinking water and have an awesome summer season!

This article originally appeared in Trigard Tuesdays, our weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/tuesdays.